Apparatus for vending liquids.



N0. 636,|7|. Patented Oct. 3|, I899. F. S. PERCY.

APPARATUS FOR VENDING LIQUIDS.

- (Application filed Sept. 12, 1898.; (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet I,

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No. 636,l 7l. Patented Oct. 3|, I899.

F. s. PERCY. APPARATUS FOR VENDING LIQUIDS.

' (Application filed. se t. 12, 1898.) (No Mudel.) 3 SheetsSheet 2.

' Patented Oc t. 3|, I899; r. s. PERCY.

APPARATUS FOR VENDING LIIIUI DS.

(Application filed Sept. 12, 1898.

3 Sheats-She'et 3.

(No Model.)

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PATENT APPARATUS FOR VENDING LIQUIDS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 636,171, dated October 31, 1899.

Application filed September 12, 1898. Serial No. 690,773. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that I, FRANK SIMS PERCY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Row Landing, in the parish of West Feliciana and State of Louisiana, have invented anew and useful Apparatus for Vending Liquids, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in apparatus for vending liquids.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of coin-controlled apparatus for vending liquids and to provide a simple and comparatively inexpensive one which can be operated only by a coin of the proper denomination and which will insure a positive delivery of the liquid to the purchaser.

A further object of the invention is to provide simple and efficient means for indicating the quantity of liquid Within the reservoir of the device and to enable the receptacle or cup for conveying the liquid from the reservoir to the discharge-pipe to be automatically tripped and positively dumped to discharge its contents.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a coin-controlled liquid-vending apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional View, the section being taken at right angles to Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Figs. 4 and 5 are enlarged detail sectional views illustrating the arrangement of the coin-controlled mechanism for locking the reciprocating operatingbar or plunger against downward movement. Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view of the same, taken horizontally of the coin-chute on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the coin-operated catch. Fig. 8 is a detail view illustrating the cup or bucket in the act of dumping. Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the cup or bucket. Fig. 10 is a detail view of the resilient catch. Figs. 11 and 12 are detail vertical sectional views illustrating a modification of the invention and showing another means for automatically tiltingthe cup or receptacle. Fig. 13 is a detail perspective view of the cup or receptacle illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures of the drawin gs.

1 designates a suitable casing constructed of any desired material and of any desired form and provided at opposite sides with vertical guides 2, having grooves at their opposite edges for the reception of horizontal tongues 3 of cross heads or bars 4 of a vertically-reciprocating operating-bar or plunger 5, which extends through the top of the easing, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings. The upper end of the reciprocating operating-bar or plunger is provided with a suitable head or handle 6 to enable it to be readily depressed to carry a cup or bucket 7 into a reservoir 8 for filling the same, and the bar or plunger is automatically moved upward and returned to its initial position for discharging the liquid contained in the cup by means of a pair of coiled springs 9, connected with the top of the easing and with the upper cross bar or head 4..

The lower end of the operating-bar or plunger is provided with a fork 10, having bearing-openings at the lower terminals of its sides for the reception of journals or trunnions ll of the cup 7,-whereby the latter is adapted to tilt to discharge its contents into a pan or trough 12. The trunnions or pivots 11 are provided with extensions 13, which form arms arranged at right angles to the length of the cup and which are flattened, as shown. One of the arms is engaged by a resili; ent catch 14, mounted on and depending from the upper portion of one of the sides of the fork and having jaws at the lower end for engaging the inner edge of the adjacent arm 13. The lower jaw of the resilient oatch'is slightly inclined to provide a beveled face to enable the arm to engage the catch automatically.

when the cup swings from a horizontal to a vertical position, as hereinafter described.

The bar or plunger is preferably providedwith a removable lower section 15, coupled with the body portion at its upper end, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings, and before the said rod or bar reaches the limit of its upward movement the arms 13 of the cup engage rigid horizontal arms 16 of the casing and are swung from a horizontal position to a vertical position, as illustrated in Fig. 8 of the accompanyingdrawings, thereby tilting the cup on its pivots or trunnions and swinging it to a horizontal position for discharging its contents into the pan or trough 12. The arm 16, which engages the arm 13, that is held by the catch, is preferably arranged a short distance above the other arm in order that the catch 14 will be released before both arms 13 engage the arms 16. The arm 13 is forced out of engagement with the catch through contactwith the stationary arm 16, and the said catch will readily release the arm 13 when sufflcient pressure is applied.

The trough or pan 12 is formed integral with a discharge-pipe 17, and the latter, which extends through the casing, terminates directly above a glass 18, which is supported upon a bracket or shelf 19; but the trough and the discharge-pipe may be arranged in any other desired manner. The cup is preferably cylindrical, and it has a rounded bottom, as shown, and the reservoir, which is detachably secured within the casing by removable plugs or fastening devices 20, is provided with a central depressed portion or extension 21, slightly larger than the cup and arranged to receive the same when the liquid within the reservoir is nearly exhausted. When the cup isintroduced into the extreme lower portion or extension of the reservoir, the liquid before contained within the extension is forced out of the same into the upper portion of the reservoir and finally flows into the cup. By this construction nearly the entire contents of the reservoir may be withdrawn by the cup.

The reservoir is provided at its top with a central opening 22 for the passage of the cup, and it is also provided with a filling-opening 23, and it has a drain'opening 24 at the bottom, the openings 23 and 2% being normally closed by suitable plugs or corks. The plugs 20 are located at opposite sides of the casing, being provided at their outer ends with heads, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings.

In order to indicate the quantity of liquid within the reservoir,the apparatus is provided with a gage consisting of a suitable float 25 and a vertically-movable rod 26, guided in the casing, and provided at its upper portion with graduations 27,which indicate the height of the liquid. As the contents of the reser- Voir are consumed the float falls and carries the rod downward with it, indicating the amount of the consumption by the graduations. The upper portion of the rod 26 is also provided with an inwardly-extending pointer 28, and the plunger or operating-bar, which has its upward movement limited by a stop 30, is provided with a corresponding projection or pointer 31, which when carried downward to the pointer 28 indicates that the cup is submerged in the reservoir.

The apparatus is provided adjacent to one consisting of an opening formed in a vertical piece 35; but a tube or chute of any other desired construction may be employed. The lower end of the coin-chute terminates above a cash-receptacle or money-drawer 36, which receives the coins after the same release a coin-operated catch 37 from engagement with the operating-rod or plunger. The coin-chute is deflected between its ends in the direction of the adjacent guide, and the opening or groove of the latter intersects the coin-chute, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, and 6 of the drawings.

The catch 37, which is spring-actuated, is arranged normally vertical and is pivoted atits lower end at 38, its upper end being engaged at the outer edge by a coiled spring 39, interposed between the catch and a bracket or arm 10. The arm or bracket is secured to the adjacent guide and is angularly bent, as shown, and the catch 37, which has its upper portion projecting into an opening 41 of the guide, is arranged in the path of an arm or finger 42, carried by the upper cross bar or head of the operating-bar or plunger. The upper end of the catch is recessed at its inner edge at 4:3 to receive a coin which when arranged within the recess of the catch lines directly beneath the arm or finger 42. The catch 37 is provided below the recess 43 with a convex edge 44 and is recessed or cut away below the same, and after a coin of the proper denomination is deposited in the coin-chute 33 the operating-rod or plunger may be depressed and moved downward sufficiently to submerge the cup 7 in the liquid of the reservoir. The downward movement of the plunger or operating-rod causes the depending arm or finger 42 of the upper cross head or piece 4 to engage the upper edge of the coin and force the same downward. The coin in its downward movement engages the convex edge 4A and forces the catch outward to the position illustrated in Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings, whereby the upper end of the catch is carried out of the path of the upper cross head or piece 4: to release the plunger. After leaving the convex edge 44: the coin drops into the lower portion of the coin-chute and is directed by the same to the drawer or box 36. The coiled spring 39, which is compressed when the catch is forced outward, returns the said catch to its normal position, and when the plunger is moved upward by the coiled springs 9 the upper cross bar or piece at engages the lower portion of the convex edge 44: and forces the catch outward sufficiently to pass the same.

In Figs. 11 to 13 is illustrated a modifica tion of the invention, showing another means for automatically tilting the cup or receptacle to discharge its contents and for returning it to a vertical position before it enters the reservoir. The cup or receptacle 45 is pivotally mounted in a fork or bifurcation 46 of a plunger and has a spring 47 disposed on one of its pivots and consisting of a central coil and upper and lower arms 48 and 49. The upper arm 48 is attached to one side of the fork or bifurcation of the plunger, and the lower arm 49, which is arranged substantially at right angles to the upper arm when the parts are in their normal position, is secured to a projection 50 of the cup or receptacle. The projection 50islocated at one side of the cup or receptacle, near the bottom thereof, and when the said cup or receptacle is free to respond to the movement of the spring the latter throws it into a horizontal position, as illustrated in Fig. 11 of the accompanying drawings. When the plunger is depressed after a coin has been deposited in the apparatus, the upper end of the cup engages an arm 51, extending upward from a reservoir 52 and located at one side of the opening 53, at the top thereof, and the said arm 51 is adapted, as the plunger descends, to return the receptacle or cup to a vertical position. The top of the cup or receptacle is provided with a catch 53, having a beveled edge and provided at its inner end with a shoulder adapted to interlock with the spring-controlled lever 54, fulcrumed on one side of the fork of the plunger. The lever 54 has one arm 55 extending substantially horizontally into the bifurcation in position to be engaged by the catch, and its other arm, which is engaged by a spring 56, is disposed at an inclination and is adapted to be depressed by a fixed stop or arm 57, mounted on the frame of the machine and arranged in the path of the lever 54:, whereby when the plunger is raised the lever will be disengaged from the catch of the receptacle to cause the spring 4.7 to tilt or swing the receptacle from a vertical to a horizontal position for discharging its contents.

The invention has the following advantages: The apparatus, which is simple and comparatively inexpensive in construction, is positive and reliable in operation and can be operated only when a coin of the proper denomin ation is deposited in the coin-chute, and smaller coins will pass through the chute into the cash drawer or receptacle without affecting the catch. The cup or receptacle which conveys the liquid from the reservoir to the discharge-spout is automatically tilted to discharge its contents, and the spring 14, which forms the catch, holds the cup or receptacle 7 perfectly steady while it is descending into the reservoir and while it is moving upward to its discharging position. The gage is automatic in its operation, and it not only serves to indicate thequantit-y of liquid contained within the reservoir, but it also serves as a guide for indicating when the cup or receptacle 7 is submerged.

Changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

What is claimed is- 1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing, a reservoir, a vertically-movable plunger, coin-controlled mechanism for locking the plunger, a cup or receptacle pivotally mounted on the plunger, means for automatically tilting the receptacle or cup to discharge its contents, and-a catch for holding the cup steady, substantially as described.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a reservoir, of a vertically-movable plunger, coin-controlledmechanisin for locking the plunger, a cup or receptacle pivotally mounted on the plunger and provided at its pivot with an arm, a catch mounted on the plunger and engaging the arm of the cup or receptacle to hold the latter steady and a stop located above the reservoir and arranged to engage the arm of the cup or receptacle, whereby the latter is tilted, substantially as described.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a reservoir, a verticallymovable plunger, coin-controlled mechanism for locking the plunger, a cup or receptacle pivotally mounted on the plunger, a springcatch carried by the plunger and holding the cup or receptacle steady, and a fixed stop arranged to tilt the cup or receptacle and capable of disengaging the catch, substantially as described.

4:. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing, a reservoir, a vertically-movable plunger, coin-controlled mechanism normally locking the plunger against movement a cup pivotally mounted on the plunger and provided at its pivot with an arm, a fixed stop arranged within the easing in position to engage the arm of the cup when the plunger is raised, whereby the cup is tilted to discharge its contents, and a catch carried by the plunger and arranged to engage the arm for holding the cup steady, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a vertically movable plunger, coin-controlled mechanism normally locking the plunger against movement, a reservoir, a pivotally-mounted cup carried by the plunger, a fixed arm or stop arranged to engage and tilt the cup to discharge the contents of the same, and a catch carried by the plunger for holding the cup steady while it is being lowered into and raised from the reservoir, substantially as described.-

6. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a Vertically movable plunger provided at its bottom with a fork, coin-controlled mechanism normally locking the plunger against movement, a cup pivotally mounted on the arms of the fork and provided at the ends of its pivots with extensions or plates, a catch mounted on the fork and consisting of a resilient shank or spring provided with jaws arranged to engage the inner edge of the adjacent extension or plate, substantially as described.

'7. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing provided with parallel vertical guides, a plunger having a cross head or piece projecting from opposite sides of the plunger and fitting in the guides, acoinchute arranged adjacent to one of the guides and communicating with the same, andacoinoperated catch mounted adjacent to the coinchute and arranged in the path of the cross head or piece, substantially as described.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing, parallel vertical guides, a plunger having a cross-head projecting from opposite sides of it and mounted in the guides, a coin-chute arranged adjacent to and communicating with one of the guides, a coin-controlled catch arranged opposite the coin-chute and located in the path of the cross-head, and a cup carried by the plunger, substantially as described.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination ofa casing provided with vertical guides, a coin-chute, a plunger mounted in the guides, a catch arranged in the path of the plunger and provided at its upperend with a recess to receive a coin and having a convex edge located beneath the recess and adapted to be engaged by the coin to force the catch out of the path of the plunger, and an arm or finger carried by the plunger and arranged to engage the coin, substantially as described.

10. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing, vertical guides, a-plunger mounted in the guides, a coin-chute, acatch pivoted at its lower end and provided at its upper portion with a recess, a bracket a spring mounted on the bracket and engaging the upper portion of the catch, and an arm or finger carried by the plunger and arranged to engage a coin to force the catch outward, substantially as described.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a casing, a reservoir, a plunger provided with an index-finger or mark, coin-controlled mechanism normally locking the plunger against movement and a gage provided at its lower end with a float arranged within the reservoir, said gage being provided at its upper portion with an indexfinger or mark adapted to indicate the limit of the downward movement of the plunger, substantially as described.

12. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame or casing, a reservoir, a vertically-movable plunger, coin-controlled mechanism normally locking the plunger against movement, a cup or receptacle pivotally mounted on the plunger, a catch for holding the receptacle in an upright position to receive a liquid, and means for automatically disengaging the catch to release the receptacle to permit the same to tilt, substantially as described.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a frame or casing, a vertically-movable plunger, coin-controlled mechanism normally locking the plunger against movement, a pivotally-mounted cup or receptacle carried by the plunger, a catch for holding the cup or receptacle in an upright position, and means for disengaging the catch and for swinging the cup or receptacle to a horizontal position for discharging its contents, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

' FRANK SIMS PERCY.

Witnesses:

J. S. JOHNSON, N. P. HOBYARD. 

